Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Veterans

Why those who served in the military may benefit the most from TRT

If there is one word that defines our military veterans, it’s “sacrifice.”

Whether it’s putting themselves in harms way to accomplish a mission or save a life, veterans always put other’s needs before their own.

When someone enlists into active-duty military, they do this with the full knowledge that they are putting themselves at a much higher risk of injury or death, and they accept these risks because of a sense of duty and honor in protecting the citizens of their nation.

Unfortunately, a military discharge does not eliminate the health risks that can arise from their time spent serving.

Low testosterone is common among those who served in the military. Extreme stress in veteran’s minds and bodies during training and deployment can have long-term affects hormone production. In fact, one study showed that participants in an 8-week Ranger school only produced about 35% of the testosterone of normal males their age.

Additionally, many of the long-term health consequences that arise from military service are exacerbated by low testosterone.

This has led many veterans to seek relief from chronic symptoms in the form of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

Here are a few conditions that affect veterans at high rates that may be alleviated with TRT:

Chronic Pain

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), veterans experience higher rates of chronic pain as compared to non-veterans (65.6% vs 56.4%). Nearly 1 in 10 (9.1%) suffer from severe chronic pain.

Those who suffer from chronic pain are more likely to have low testosterone, as a consequence of both the underlying condition and the treatments.

Testosterone is crucial for cell development, providing the body with the signals to develop muscle and bone.

Because of this, many pain management doctors are integrating testosterone replacement as a mandatory part of pain management therapy.

Mental Health

It is well known that PTSD is common among those who have served. It’s estimated that 11-20% of veterans experienced PTSD in a given year. Another major study showed that those with PTSD are three to five times more likely to have major depressive disorder.

Left untreated, this can have devasting consequences for those who suffer and their families.

Low testosterone often manifests in mental conditions, like anxiety and depression, in addition to the physical symptoms.

Because testosterone affects how your nervous system functions, which can affect your mood. Some believe that testosterone may be correlated with serotonin, which can elevate your mood.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can have devasting health consequences. Because of the nature of their work, veterans suffer from TBI at an alarming rate. According to the VA, they have treated roughly 414,000 cases of TBI since 2000.

It is estimated that nearly 80% of men with TBI suffer from low testosterone. Smaller studies have linked head trauma with low testosterone, although the mechanisms are not fully understood.

With the pituitary gland sitting near the base of the brain, the prevailing theories are that head trauma can damage its function, which triggers other functions like testosterone production.

About Alpha Advantage

At Alpha Advantage, we have helped countless veterans reclaim their manhood and get them back to performing at their best.

We believe that strong families, communities, and countries are built on the backs of strong men.

If you would like to discuss your options or get your FREE testosterone level check, book an appointment with one of our Alpha Advantage clinical specialists.

Visit alphaadvantage.org